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Gas Utility Construction and Service

The Gas Utility Construction and Service program is not accepting new students at this time.

Gateway has opened a program which will provide training in the career field of gas utility construction, a very in-demand career field in Wisconsin and across the nation.

Students graduating from the nine-month technical diploma program can earn an estimated starting wage of $50,000 annually and gain skills they can use to apply at employers across the region. When surveyed, area employers indicated there would be more than 500 job openings in the next three years caused by newly created jobs, retirement or resignations.

Employers strongly support this program, indicating they have difficulty in finding qualified workers, which has resulted in many job openings for graduates to enter this career.

Students gain the skills to be in the in-demand occupations as first responders to handle gas leaks on furnaces or other appliances as well as gas line emergencies, gas line installers and other work on gas utility crews.

Finds and repairs or replaces pipes using special magnetic or radio indicators.

Investigates all gas leaks.

Repairs gas leaks.

Performs leak surveys.

Assists with construction and repair work.

Operates construction equipment.

Locates mains and services.

Many of the courses will be held at Gateway’s nationally known energy lab facilities, as well as in an outdoor training lab to simulate a neighborhood area for students to learn other gas line and related skills.

The simulated neighborhood on the Kenosha Campus will provide the setting for training on the operation of large construction equipment, laying of natural gas line and being a first responder to business and residential dwellings.

The outlook for these jobs is extremely promising, providing family sustaining wages starting with their initial job. The industry has remained stable for many years – workers many times remain in it their entire career – and is expected to remain stable as the nation works to revamp is faltering steel pipeline infrastructure with plastic lines. Workers will also be needed to maintain those lines, which provide heating and other utility needs which are sure to remain for generations.

Students graduating from the nine-month technical diploma program can earn a starting wage of $50,000 annually – as indicated by area employers – and gain skills they can use to apply at employers across the region. When surveyed, area employers indicated there would be more than 500 job openings in the next three years caused by newly created jobs, retirement or resignations.

As new power plants and energy technologies are develop, skilled pipefitters/pipelayers will be critical to integrate, install and maintain these technologies to help generate and transmit tomorrow’s power supply. Due to its efficiency, cleanliness and reliability, natural gas is growing increasingly popular. Consumption of natural gas will increase 20 percent by 2030, according to the US Department of Energy. The American Gas Association. Pipefitters and pipelayers can expect an annual salary of about $60,000, according to Center for Energy Workforce Development.

Graduates will gain the skills to earn utility industry Operator Qualification certifications from an employer. However, if they choose to move on to another employer, they bring those skills with them to be certified with that new employer – no matter where they are in the United States.

Industry skills ready testing through the Midwest Energy Association.

To qualify for Operator Qualifications applicants must undergo background and driver’s license checks and pass random drug testing before and throughout duration of Program.

Career Pathway

Featured Faculty

“Gateway is a cutting edge college with up to date training facilities with intensive, practical hands-on learning. I have an overwhelming desire to pass on to the next generation of industry professionals the skills necessary to start a lifelong career with unlimited potential.”

“Gateway is a cutting edge college with up to date training facilities with intensive, practical hands-on learning. I have an overwhelming desire to pass on to the next generation of industry professionals the skills necessary to start a lifelong career with unlimited potential.”

Education

Numerous industry and manufacturers training schools

Industry/Career Experience

2014 Energy Center of Wisconsin Educator of the Year with over 40
years in HVAC in R&D, design/build with an extensive background in steel
piping and plastic fusion. Equipment operation background with vertical and
directional drill rigs, large CFM air compressors, desanding and trenching
equipment.

Success Stories

“This has set me up for a career that I will do for the rest of my life.”